Used M1a Loaded in Walnut, need stock-lockup help!

[FryingPilot]

Hello,

A few months ago I saw a screamin-good deal on an M1a Loaded in walnut with a Leupold scope. Finally getting around to taking it out to the range and I notice that the action is not locked securely into the stock. I have a few CMP M1s and used to have an M1a Scout, so I know it shouldnt be like this. I can push the receiver forward and back ~1/32'' enough that it makes an audible click when the receiver hits the internal metal. It's hard to make out, but it's a Boyd's Stock stamped for Feb 2017.

So before I waste a bunch of money fixing it, anybody have this happen and know the best solution?

The guy said he "only shot a couple hundred" through it, of course, but who knows, it seems like the rifle should take a bunch of abuse before the metal surfaces on the receiver feet or the stock channel deform by 1/32'' and it looks very new.

So, ideas?

1) Get Polymer stock, could be the wood warped? But I am concerned if the metal doesnt lockup tight a polymer stock will be the same.

2) Glass bed the action? Never done that before but I'm good with that stuff. Would it last a long time or degrade quickly under semi-auto fire?

Anything else? Worried the receiver itself is the problem and I got a lemon. :/ I called SA Customer Service but they did not have any answers for me, it was basically "figure it out, not our problem on a used rifle."

 

[Talyn]

"but it's a Boyd's Stock"

That's all you had to say. The lemon is the stock.

If the previous owner says it came from the SA factory with that stock, then send it to SA to fix it.

But, if the previous owner put it together on his/her/its own with a y Boyd's stock then take it to someone that knows how to inlet/fit the stock properly.

My .02

 

[Keystone19250]

Find a gunsmith in your area and have him/her look at it.

 

[Jfal]

Gotta agree with Talyn. I bought a raw stock (no stain/oil...raw wood) for mine...wasn't an issue after I oiled it. Fulton Armory.

 

[FryingPilot]

"but it's a Boyd's Stock"

That's all you had to say. The lemon is the stock.

If the previous owner says it came from the SA factory with that stock, then send it to SA to fix it.

But, if the previous owner put it together on his/her/its own with a y Boyd's stock then take it to someone that knows how to inlet/fit the stock properly.

My .02

SA Customer service didnt seem too interested in taking it.

Can you re-fit a stock that is too loose?

I like wood, but I'm open to getting a polymer stock. Anything most likely to work right out of the box?

 

[Talyn]

You'd have to find/send a wood stock to someone who knows what they' doing with the M!-14 footprint vs. just any other gunsmith.

IMO your easiest option is to get a synthetic stock & I'd recommend a USGI fiberglass since they're stiffer than your plain-jane poly stocks.

Consider what this outfit offers.

M14 M1A USGI Synthetic Fiberglass Rifle Stock Excellent Plus

www.treelinem14.com

If you wanted to then you could camo paint these since they take paint real well.

But they also have USGI wood stocks.

M14 M1A USGI Rifle Stocks (Walnut Birch Synthetic)

 

[FryingPilot]

USGI fiberglass will lock up nice and tight as-is?

I wish the M14 action was more like the M1s!

 

[Talyn]

USGI fiberglass will lock up nice and tight as-is?

I wish the M14 action was more like the M1s!

They were made to.

Two of mine are in "painted" USGI fiberglass stocks and they lock up fine.

The M14 action is a bit improved over the "parent" M1 action.

 

[Jfal]

Try this place....lots of choices for an M1A.